Türk Eğitim-Sen: A Raise Equal to Inflation Is Not a Raise, Demands Welfare Share

Türk Eğitim-Sen Tekirdağ Şubesi published a comprehensive assessment regarding the economic situation of public employees following the release of June's inflation figures. The statement emphasized that teachers' and education workers' purchasing power is constantly eroding because inflation in the first half of the year outpaced salary hikes. It highlighted that price hikes in basic expense categories such as rent, food, energy, transport, and education severely strain education workers' budgets. Reacting to the situation, the Branch argued that urgent measures are needed to eliminate the employees' grievances in light of current economic data. In response to these developments, the union management reiterated its view that merely increasing salaries by the rate of inflation does not constitute a raise.

The statement drew attention with the phrase "A raise equal to inflation is not a raise," expressing that a real raise is an increase made on top of the inflation rate that makes the employee a partner in the growing economy. Noting increases in indicators like economic growth, national income, tax revenues, and exports in Turkey, it was argued that public employees and retirees do not get their fair share of this growth. It was stated that the current wage system condemns employees to a vicious cycle where their salaries erode against inflation every six months, and that preserving purchasing power is impossible without changing the system. As the gap between economic indicators and employee incomes deepened, the union voiced its demands for structural reform.

Türk Eğitim-Sen Tekirdağ Şubesi laid out a concrete roadmap by listing its solution proposals and demands in five items. The first demand was that an additional raise be applied to salaries as of July and that a welfare share be given to teachers and all education personnel additionally. Furthermore, a call was made to transition to the "wage indexation" (eşel mobil) system to fully protect salaries against inflation. The union requested that the collective bargaining system be rearranged to protect the employee and guarantee the earnings of those who deserve it. As a final demand, it was emphasized that the gap between duty salaries and retirement pensions should be eliminated, and the economic difficulties experienced by retirees should be alleviated.

In its assessments regarding the issue, the union reiterated its determination to secure a wage for education workers that allows them to live under humane conditions. The concluding part of the statement conveyed the message, "Welfare is achieved through a fair share of growth, not inflation difference," stating that for a sustainable level of welfare, growth data must be spread to the base. It was noted that as an indispensable part of the struggle for rights, the union will continue its fight resolutely until demands such as additional raises, welfare share, and the wage indexation system are implemented. In this context, calling on authorities, they requested the establishment of a permanent and just wage system instead of short-term solutions.

In summary, Türk Eğitim-Sen Tekirdağ Şubesi's statement can be characterized as a reflection of the economic hardships experienced by public employees in Turkey, particularly education workers. Employees experiencing a loss of purchasing power due to inflation surpassing salary increases argue that the current system is unfair and impoverishes them. The solutions proposed by the union to share in economic growth and protect against the cost of living stand out as salary hikes, welfare share, and systematic changes. These demands include not only financial improvement but also a desire for social justice and the redefinition of employees' places in economic processes.